Tag: Philanthropy

Categories
Business Featured NYC

The View From Downtown

Photo by Lukas Kloeppel from Pexels
As the associate editor at Downtown Magazine, there are some initiatives and voices in NYC that we love to share directly. Below is an article from the Downtown Alliance.
Downtown Alliance

Coffee, Wine And Fine Dining For A Very Good Cause

Coffee, Wine And Fine Dining For A Very Good Cause

Help the people and animals impacted by the devastating wildfires in Australia by wining and dining in Lower Manhattan. From January 13 to 19, Boundless Plains Espresso, an Aussie-inspired cafe on Rector Street, will donate 100 percent of its profits to help Australia heal. At Crown Shy, on Friday, January 17, and Friday, January 24, the revenue from special seatings of Australian wine dinners will go to the Australian Red Cross and a koala hospital. And starting January 10, Crown Shy will exclusively serve Australian wines in their by-the-glass pours all month long, donating 10 percent of the earnings.

You can also donate directly to the Australian Red Cross here.

Feast At Eataly NYC Downtown's Winter Wine And Food Festa

Feast At Eataly NYC Downtown’s Winter Wine And Food Festa

Get all the Italian comfort food you want — plus wine, cocktails and more — at Eataly NYC Downtown’s Winter Wine & Food Festa. Each month, this bacchanal gives ticket-holders a chance to enjoy multiple courses of stick-to-your-bones Italian cuisine. The year’s first festa is Friday, January 17, 6-8p. Tickets are $65.

Seesaws At The Seaport

Seesaws At The Seaport

Fend off those winter blues with some actual ups and downs thanks to an experiential art installation lighting up Seaport Square. Eight giant seesaws that glow and create surreal soundscapes when in motion give passersby a chance to interact with the city and one another in a new, quirky way. Try them out anytime between 10a to 9p.

Etsy's Crafty Approach To Countering Climate Change

Etsy’s Crafty Approach To Countering Climate Change

On Thursday, January 30, Etsy’s director of sustainability and integrated marketing manager are coming to LMHQ to discuss environmentally-savvy solutions that could change the future of e-commerce’s impact on climate change. Etsy is going the extra mile to offset carbon emissions: for every product it ships, the site invests in projects that reduce carbon emissions by the same amount. 6p. $15.

Turn Back The Clock With Alexander Hamilton History Buffs

Turn Back The Clock With Alexander Hamilton History Buffs 

Pop into Fraunces Tavern on Thursday, January 16, for a side of history with your post-work pint. The historic watering hole’s museum is hosting Brown University’s Barbara Chernow, an expert on all things Alexander Hamilton, who will discuss the importance of the Founding Father during America’s halcyon days, as well as how historical research impacts our perceptions of the past. 6:30p. $10, $5 for members.

There's A Lot To Love About The Year Of The Rat

There’s A Lot To Love About The Year Of The Rat

Despite what any seasoned New Yorker might think, there’s a lot to embrace about 2020 being the Year of the Rat. This ubiquitous city inhabitant is super smart and resourceful. And let us not forget how certain famed rodentia (e.g. Pizza Rat, the four-legged chef from “Ratatouille”) have warmed our hearts. So learn more about this year’s animal and the Chinese zodiac calendar at one of the China Institute’s Lunar New Year events.

Book Your Rezzies For NYC Restaurant Week 2020

Book Your Rezzies For NYC Restaurant Week 2020

January 21 through February 9 is your chance to taste some of the best dishes Downtown on the cheap. In Lower Manhattan, 21 restaurants — including The Tuck Room, Temple Court and Manhatta — will be offering up special prix-fixe menus including two-course lunches ($26) and three-course dinners ($42).

See More

Toyota and BIG announce Woven City, the city of the future

A Rocking Good Time at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa

Serving Up Home, Breaking Ground’s Spring Cocktail Benefit

City Harvest’s “Summer in the City” Partners with Urbani Truffles

Categories
Featured Uncategorized

Downtown Q&A: Warrie Price

Warrie Price is president of the non-profit Battery Conservancy, which she founded in 1994 to improve and rebuild one of New York City’s oldest and most historic public spaces. The park of 25 acres is visited by an estimated six million people a year. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer)

WARRIE PRICE Founder and president of the Battery Conservancy. Raised $160 million to rebuild and revitalize the Battery Park Gardens and Castle Clinton.

1. Name three women that inspire you, and tell us why.
I am inspired by Lady Bird Johnson, my mentor since I was 18. She shared with me her passion and commitment to give the public free access to nature’s beauty. She instilled in me the role that laws and governance must play in delivering on this promise. 

Franny Reese, the founder of Scenic Hudson and savior of Storm King Mountain, taught me how to fight, to be forceful without raising your voice, and to win.

Agnes Gund encouraged me to follow my vision and to trust in one’s intuitive creativity to enhance all people’s lives. 

2. What has been the secret to your success? 
See blight as unacceptable and create beauty. Be innovative and strive for design excellence. Fill a void; don’t duplicate. Set the bar high. You only live once. As my great grandmother used to say, “Let’s shoot the works.” Exceptional ideas attract support and have a better chance to be implemented.  

3. If you were going to pass on one piece of advice to a young woman, what would it be? 
Never give in on your values or give up on your aspirations.

4. In the fight for equality, what area do you think needs the most attention?  
We get in the door now. We deserve the same paycheck and advancement.

5. What are you most proud of in your career? 
Creating the first chemical-free NYC public landscape/park.

6. Where do you get your confidence? 
I have always been fearless—a foundation for confidence. From birth, I was raised by strong loving women who made me feel I could achieve anything. Small and big achievements build confidence.

7. What makes a woman beautiful?  
Optimism and generosity. Good hair helps, too!

8. What gives you joy? 
When I experience creativity as a problem-solver. I am happiest when I fix things.

Categories
Business Featured Living

Downtown Q&A: Jessica Lappin

JESSICA LAPPIN President of Alliance for Downtown New York, which manages the country’s largest Business Improvement District. Instituted a solar-powered recycling program, created Lower Manhattan HQ, an innovation hub and collaboration center, and secured $100 million in resiliency funding for Lower Manhattan.

President Jessica Lappin; Brookfiled Place; Jessica Lappin headshot

1. Name three women that inspire you, and tell us why.

The women who inspire me are: my mom for breaking down doors on Wall Street and starting her own successful business in a field where women were practically nonexistent; RBG because she’s a badass and expanded legal rights for all women;  And, my sister-in-law who’s a single mom of three and works her butt off to be an awesome mom.  

2. What has been the secret to your success?

Hard work, organization, and preparation; and a loving and supportive family, especially my husband.  

3. If you were going to pass on one piece of advice to a young woman, what would it be?

Don’t let the haters get to you.  You’ve got to set your sights on a goal, make a plan, and keep pushing until you get there.  Setbacks will happen, that’s part of the process, but you’ve got to keep pushing forward even through tough times.    

4. In the fight for equality, what area do you think needs the most attention?

Equal pay for equal work and an Equal Rights Amendment to our constitution.  

5. What are you most proud of in your career?

I have been blessed with a career that’s consistently fulfilled my need to give back to this great city, and I’m proud of the work I have done on the ground to improve the lives of every day New Yorkers. 

6. Where do you get your confidence?

My parents always told me I could be anything I wanted to be, and I believed them.  I try to instill that same confidence in my children. 

7. What makes a woman beautiful?

Her soul.

8. What gives you joy?

My children!  

Categories
Events

The Project Renewal Annual Gala is Tuesday, June 4

Project Renewal 2018 gala
Project Renewal 2018 gala

Tickets are still available for the annual Project Renewal gala, to take place at Pier Sixty at the Chelsea Piers, on Tuesday, June 4, from 6-10pm. This year, the organization will honor Jonathan Rose of Jonathan Rose Companies. This visionary company, under the leadership of Rose, supports the well-being of communities by creating environmentally, socially, and economically responsible housing. Jonathan has partnered with Project Renewal to develop Bedford Green House, which will provide 234 apartments and support services and wellness amenities to low-income residents and families leaving homeless shelters.

The theme of this year’s gala will be “Project Renewal Works,” and will highlight the organization’s workforce development programs, including the Culinary Arts Training Program, City Beet Kitchens, Next Step, and the Next Step Internship Program. There will be a City Beet Kitchens tasting station at the gala, in addition to an auction, all benefitting the work of Project Renewal.

Project Renewal gala 2018
Geoff Proulx, Chair of the Board of Trustees, at last year’s gala.

Last year’s gala raised $1.5 million, and was attended by nearly 600 guests who enjoyed cocktails, dinner, and a live auction. The event celebrated the Project Renewal new Bronx supportive and affordable housing development, Bedford Green House. The evening was sponsored with support from organizations such as Morgan Stanley, Hollister Construction Services, Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel, Architects, DPC, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, The Johnson Company, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, The Brodsky Organization, Capital One, Delaware North Companies, Fisher Brothers, Guardian Life, ICON Interiors, Jonathan Rose Companies, J.T. Magen & Company, Lane Office, Northwell Health, Sera Security Services, SterlingRisk Insurance and White Hare Solutions.

MISSION: Project Renewal is a New York City-based nonprofit organization that works to end the cycle of homelessness by empowering individuals and families to renew their lives with health, homes and jobs. The organization’s innovative programs are designed to end the revolving door of emergency rooms, jails, shelters, and the streets. For over 50 years, their pioneering approach has created uniquely integrated and comprehensive programs that are replicated around the nation, helping even beyond the 16,000 homeless New Yorkers Project Renewal serves every year. To purchase tickets to the gala, or to donate, visit events.projectrenewal.org.

Categories
Business

Brands That Give Back: Vers Speakers

vers speakers
vers speaker 2q

vers-2-speaker
Photo: Courtesy of ubergizmo.com

 

Although the holiday season has come to an end, the generosity should not stop. Many products and brands are philanthropic nowadays, making the idea of giving back easy! Vers creates speakers that are handcrafted in stylish wood and are as beautiful as they are sustainable. They will fit beautifully in your home serving as a form of both entertainment and decoration. Vers is committed to three basic values: thoughtful design, brilliant sound quality, and a continuous pursuit of environmental sustainability, or as they say “sound sound.”

This product comes in the 1Q model and the 2Q model. The 1Q speakers are wrapped in a 3″ hand-crafted solid wood cube. It is a powerful, small, bluetooth sound system that produces warm and natural sound. The 1Q is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, with the ability to fill relatively large spaces with sound. This speaker in conveniently prices at $129.95.

The 2Q is the bigger version of Vers speakers. This speaker is a full 13 watt stereo sound system with a hand-crafted solid wood cabinet. The sound the 2Q produces is also warm and natural, similar to that of the 1Q. Although it is bigger than the 1Q, it is still considered to be portable enough to follow you wherever you go, as well as fill space in a room. These larger speakers are priced at $199.95.

Vers speakers are designed based on user-experience and the overall function of the product. Not only are these speakers practical, but with a purchase from Vers, you help donate $1 to plant a tree. Vers will then match your donation to benefit the Arbor Day Foundation. With the prime traveling season is upon us, portable, and relatively affordable, speakers are a great gift! Vers works with customers to be practical, to create enjoyable products, and to give back with their philanthropic tendencies.

-by Deirdre McAndrew

Categories
Business Events

Elie Hirschfeld To Be Celebrated at 65th Birthday Gala at Historic Harmonie Club

harmonieclub
The beautiful ballroom in Midtown’s historic Harmonie Club will play host to a celebration of New York real estate icon and philanthropist, Elie Hirschfeld.

Luminaries from every category of New York will gather on January 10 to pay tribute to a seminal figure in the development of the city as it stands today – Elie Hirschfeld.

Midtown’s historic Harmonie Club will play host to a veritable who’s who of Gotham, gathered to celebrate the 65th birthday of a man who helped define modern New York.

While the guest list is private, those expected to attend will include a U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, a prominent Broadway producer, the president of the New York City Triathlon, several leaders of major philanthropies, top New York clergy figures and a prominent array of physicians, journalists, and national award winners.

“My husband, Elie has had a positive impact on so many people in so many industries on both a professional and philanthropic level,” says Dr. Sarah Schlesinger MD of the Rockefeller University. “It’s heartwarming to have an occasion where his work and compassion can be celebrated in this way.”

_DSC4936 EH & SS (sweet)
Dr. Sarah Schlesinger MD of the Rockefeller University with the guest of honor, her husband, New York real estate luminary, Elie Hirschfeld.

The celebrated real estate mogul, philanthropist, athlete and patron of the arts has had a significant hand in the development and re-purposing of many prominent city properties including Riverside South, The Grand Sutton, Park Avenue Court, The Hotel Pennsylvania and The Exchange Tower.

But Hirschfeld’s focus has always extended far beyond any single project. His visionary collaborations with such prominent partners as Silverstein Properties, The Zeckendorf Organization, The Donald Trump Organization and others have yielded some of the more spectacular projects in the history of the city.

Game-changing Hirschfeld projects have included The Sports Club/LA, a completely vertical sports club, Manhattan Mall, one of the first vertical shopping malls in NYC, and New York’s first open-air parking garage.

And while his business accomplishments are many, it may be his seemingly endless charitable endeavors that may be his most lasting legacy. He launched the Hirschfeld Foundation to channel his philanthropic efforts in support of education, healthcare, athletics and Jewish causes.

EH, Dannon Krakow-1-27-14a
Hirschfeld’s ongoing efforts to promote awareness of Jewish history and culture are demonstrated in his presence with Israeli Knesset Minister Dany Dannon at the Holocaust Memorial dedication in Poland last January.

“My personal history of giving began when I was a student at Brown University,” Hirschfeld says. “I became President of Brown’s Hillel and was elected President of my Senior Class. I was inspired by both Brown and Hillel to do more for others and to seek to improve the world. I went on to support numerous educational institutions, hospitals, Jewish organizations, and other non-profit groups. I created the Hirschfeld Foundation to expand my personal efforts.”

This event provides the many people Hirschfeld has touched the opportunity to show how much those efforts have meant.